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Printing heat transfers means printing a design onto special transfer paper, then pressing it onto fabric or another surface. Many home inkjet printers can print inkjet transfer paper, and ink cost is the main running expense.

This guide covers five printers for transfers. It is built from published specifications and listings, not our own testing. Follow the transfer paper maker’s instructions, including whether to mirror the image. This guide is for inkjet transfer paper, not sublimation: for sublimation see our sublimation printer guide.

New to printers? Start with our guide to the best printers for home use and how we pick printers.

Last updated: October 30, 2026.

Quick Picks

Printer Type Best for
Epson EcoTank ET-2850 Ink tank all-in-one High-volume home printing at low running cost
Epson EcoTank ET-2800 Ink tank all-in-one Entry-level ink tank printing
Canon MegaTank G3290 MegaTank all-in-one Everyday printing with refillable tanks
Canon PIXMA TS9521Ca Color inkjet all-in-one Photos and documents with auto duplex
Epson Expression Home XP-4250 Color inkjet all-in-one Budget home inkjet

5 Best Printers for Heat Transfers and Iron-On Paper

1. Epson EcoTank ET-2850

A refillable ink tank all-in-one that prints, scans and copies over wireless.

Good for: families and students who print every week. Strengths: ink tanks usually bring a lower cost per page than cartridges. Weaknesses: higher up-front price than a basic cartridge model, and inkjet nozzles can clog if left idle. Skip it if you print only a few pages a month.

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2. Epson EcoTank ET-2800

A simple entry model in Epson’s EcoTank range that prints, copies and scans over wireless.

Good for: light-to-moderate printing where ink cost matters. Strengths: refillable tanks and a basic feature set. Weaknesses: fewer conveniences than higher-tier models; check duplex and feeder support. Skip it if you need an automatic document feeder.

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3. Canon MegaTank G3290

A wireless MegaTank all-in-one from Canon, a newer model in the line that includes the G3270.

Good for: families and students who print a lot. Strengths: refillable tanks tend to lower the cost per page. Weaknesses: bigger than a cartridge printer; check the feeder and duplex support on the product page. Skip it if you print very little.

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4. Canon PIXMA TS9521Ca

A wireless home all-in-one inkjet that prints, copies and scans, with auto duplex printing and a 4.3-inch touchscreen, per the listing.

Good for: households that print photos and documents. Strengths: automatic two-sided printing, a touchscreen and a five-ink system, per the listing. Weaknesses: the listing mentions no document feeder, and cartridge costs add up with volume. Skip it if you need a feeder for scanning stacks or the lowest ink cost.

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5. Epson Expression Home XP-4250

A budget wireless color inkjet all-in-one from Epson.

Good for: light home use. Strengths: low entry price and basic features. Weaknesses: cartridge running cost is high for frequent printing. Skip it if you print more than occasionally.

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Printing Heat Transfers: Notes

Ink type and washing

How a transfer holds up in the wash depends on the paper, the ink and the pressing. Follow the transfer paper maker’s care instructions. See best heat transfer paper.

Mirror the design

Most light-fabric transfers need a mirrored print. Check the paper’s instructions.

Test small

Press a test on scrap fabric before using a finished shirt.

How to Choose

Match paper to printer

Inkjet transfer paper is for inkjet printers. Laser transfer paper is for laser printers. Using the wrong one can damage the printer.

Think about ink cost

Transfers use a lot of ink. A refillable tank printer lowers the cost per sheet if you print many.

Check ink type

Dye and pigment inks behave differently on fabric and wash differently. Follow the paper maker’s guidance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to mirror the image?

Usually yes for transfers onto light fabric, but follow your paper’s instructions.

Can I use any inkjet for heat transfers?

Most inkjets can print the paper, but results depend on the ink and the paper.

Is this the same as sublimation?

No. Sublimation uses special ink and polyester or coated items.

Bottom Line

If you print many transfers, a refillable tank printer such as the Epson EcoTank ET-2850 or Canon MegaTank G3290 keeps ink cost down. For occasional sheets, a cartridge model like the Canon PIXMA TS9521Ca is enough.

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